Los Angeles - Richard Pryor may suffer from multiple sclerosis, but the
legendary comic is so adamantly against the use of animals in medical
experiments, he's helming a new PETA campaign against charities that try
to eliminate human suffering by inflicting pain and death on animals.

"Make sure the check you write to a charity doesn't pay for cruel,
pointless experiments on animals," warns Pryor from the cover of the
animal rights group's newest publication. "Your donation should help end
suffering -- not cause it."

Entitled "Health Charities: Helping or Hurting?," the PETA booklet
lists charities, including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, that
(often unbeknownst to donors) bankroll experiments on animals. Also
listed are charities that vow never to spend contributions on animal
tests. Pryor posed for PETA in Los
Angeles this fall. Sharing the cover with him is a white rat who was
rescued from a testing laboratory. Free copies of "Health Charities:
Helping or Hurting?" may be obtained by calling PETA's toll-free
"Charities Hotline" at 1-866-TEST-KIND.

Jennifer Lee, who describes herself as "Richard Pryor's partner-in
business and in life - for the last 23 years," recorded the hotline's
outgoing message. "Helping Richard live with multiple sclerosis has been
challenging, rewarding, and enlightening," Lee tells callers. "One thing
I discovered early on is that, while some charities ask for money to
help people with diseases, they actually spend your dollars on horrible
experiments on dogs, rabbits, primates, and other animals."

Pryor and Lee hope their efforts will convince those who are in a
generous mood (and eager to meet year-end tax deadlines) to give
exclusively to PETA-approved, cruelty-free charities, such as Easter
Seals and the National Federation of the Blind. These organizations
focus on prevention and patient services and utilize modern research
methods such as human clinical trials and in vitro tests.

"If the season finds you sharing your good fortune with others,
please don't give to charities that fund experiments on animals," says
Pryor.

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